Barry Locher was director of the Illinois Press Foundation in Springfield from 2010 to 2016. Soon after they learned about Locher's death on Nov. 10, former colleagues at the Illinois Press Association and members of the Illinois Press Foundation Board shared memories of their time working with him.

 

By BERNARD SCHOENBURG
State Journal-Register

Barry Locher, who rose from a photography intern to editor of The State Journal-Register, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, at his Springfield home after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 65.

He had been in home hospice care, and his wife, Debra, and three adult children – Tad, Bonnie and Joseph – were all there.

Locher worked at the newspaper for 33 years, leaving in 2007 following the sale of the publication from Copley Newspapers to GateHouse Media. It is now owned by Gannett.

“He was a great hands-on kind of guy, a good organizer,” said Pat Coburn, a former publisher of the newspaper who now lives in Chicago.

“He identified good people,” Coburn said of how Locher brought “shining lights” to the newspaper staff, “and then he let them do their job.”

Rich Saal of Springfield, who spent nearly 35 years at the newspaper and was photo editor when he left in 2019, said he was hired by Locher and learned much from him.

“He was a great boss, a true leader, because his appreciation of and expectations for great photography was always adequate motivation,” Saal said. “He never berated. He never belittled. ... And he was the kind of person you really wanted to work hard for. I always genuinely felt bad when I knew I’d let him down. He’s really the one responsible for the great photography program that The State Journal-Register had become known for.  … He just had a knack for knowing what would connect with readers.”

Locher spent his childhood in Roodhouse, and graduated from North Greene High School in 1973 before studying journalism at the University of Missouri, where he graduated in 1977.

Photography and journalism was “his life and his passion,” his wife said. He was a starter on his high school basketball team, she said, but he quit to be a photographer for the yearbook and newspaper.

As a photographer, he liked to “learn all the facts” and meet the people” to tell their stories. She said he spent “weeks and weeks and weeks” with the late Margery Adams, who lived on the property of Adams Wildlife Sanctuary along Clear Lake Avenue in Springfield, to tell her story. Locher and associates on The State Journal-Register’s editorial board became leading proponents in seeking to preserve her house on the property, and it is now the headquarters for the Illinois Audubon Society.

Among his recognitions, Locher was named photographer of the year by the Illinois Press Photographers Association in 1982. In 2008, he was inducted into the Lincoln League of Journalists by the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association for exemplary service to other journalists and newspapers in the state.

Locher was also an avid waterfowl and deer hunter and loved the outdoors. He had been an owner of the Lower 40 Duck Club in Snicarte. He also created an outdoors section that published for several years in the newspaper.

“He never missed a deer hunting season, and often brought venison summer sausage to the newsroom,” Saal recalled. “His office at the newspaper was notably decorated with some of his trophy mounts.”

After he left the newspaper, Locher joined the public relations staff at Memorial Medical Center, and in 2010, he became director of the Illinois Press Foundation, a position he held until 2016.

Debra Locher said her husband often quoted a concept from the late poet and activist Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“He preached that to the kids all the time — you listen, listen, listen, listen,” his wife said, and put importance on “how you make someone else feel.”

She said after he left the paper, he would get many calls from former interns and employees, not only for references, but for advice and encouragement.

“He made a lot of people feel really good about themselves,” she said. “And that’s what a leader does. That’s what a boss does. He didn’t say what to do. He let them take the lead, and then encouraged that.”

The family will receive visitors from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bisch Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen St., but COVID-19 restrictions apply, including no more than 25 guests in the home at a time. Services will be private.

Memorials can be sent to the Illinois Audubon Society/Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 2547, Springfield, IL 62708.

 

Remembering Barry Locher: Former IPA colleagues, IPF Board members share their thoughts

Devastating news. I knew him from his SJ-R days and he became a dear friend over the years. He will indeed be missed, by many.

Greg Bilbrey

I'm so sorry to hear this. Barry was such a steadfast advocate for high school journalism programs and journalism teachers – and in addition, he was simply a great guy to know. We’ll miss him.

Linda Jones

So sorry to hear about Barry. Had an opportunity to communicate with him not long ago. He was a brave man who loved his family.

Wendy Martin

It was devastating news to hear that Barry had passed away. He was always so full of life. I knew Barry during his tenure at the State Journal since my wife worked there also. The Illinois Press Foundation was lucky to have capitalized on his expertise.

Nathan Jones

I am so sorry. He truly loved the (Eastern Illinois University summer journalism) camp and all the students, and he was incredibly supportive to high school advisers all over the state. Again, I am so sorry to hear this news.

Sally Renaud

So sorry to hear such sad news.  Barry and I go back 40-some years, to his days as an SJ-R photog and me at the Sun-Times, before either of us became part of the IPF.  An all-around good guy and a consummate professional, always willing to go the extra mile, especially for my students.  RIP.

Charlie Wheeler

I will miss Barry. His cabin in Pike County was not far from my farmhouse. He was an all around great guy.

Julie Boren

I am sending a memorial for my dear friend Barry to the IPF.

Jerry Reppert

This was not the news I wanted to hear to start my morning. Barry was one of the most thoughtful, caring and talented persons I have ever known. I did not know him well until he served us on the Foundation, but grew to greatly enjoy his company. Our profession has lost a great champion and contributor. We are all blessed that he shared some portions of his life with us.

Jon Whitney

I always looked forward to opportunities to work with Barry. I remember his commitment to the High School Journalism Grant Program. I am saddened and send my sympathy to all who are grieving.

Cheryl Wormley

What an outpouring for Barry. … Being a good person trumps all else, doesn’t it. ... Also knew him from his photo days through the foundation. Genuine good guy.

Doug Ray

Barry probably understood the role newspapers play in communities, large and small, better than anybody else in the business.  He also understood people and how to get the best out of all of us, no matter our stations in life.  I was thrilled when he undertook the role as director of the Foundation, because I knew that the programs of the Foundation were near and dear. Remember the smiles, the stories, the laughs.

Don Craven

That is so sad. Barry was one of the most pleasant people to work with – and one who really loved newspapers.

Kathy Farren

I totally enjoyed working with Barry.  He had a way about him that made you feel important and what you said was important. If he needed you to do a project for him, he did not expect you to do anything he would not do himself.  He made working so much fun when he was joking around. Family was so important to Barry.  You could just feel how much he loved his family when he talked about them. Barry is one of those people you meet once in a lifetime.

Lisa Sisti

Barry Locher was simply an extraordinary man. His smile, his courteous demeanor, the way he conducted himself as a professional – he had no equal. He will be deeply missed by the media industry in Illinois and all of those whose life he touched.

Josh Sharp

Barry always had a smile that just set the tone for the rest of the day. He was a true newspaper professional that loved the business. We went to J-school at Mizzou at the same time but unfortunately, I never had a chance to meet him then – I wish I had. He’ll be missed.

Sam Fisher

I was fortunate to work with Barry at the Illinois Press Association for 5 years and lucky enough to call him one of my closest friends. He was kind, honest, hard-working, fair and funny. He loved the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. He loved a good chili and loved to argue about what MADE a good chili (must have red beans – a recipe I still use today). If there was anyone that deserved a long retirement with their lovely family it was Barry. He set the bar for friendship and I will miss him fiercely.

Lynne Lance

Barry’s door was always open offering support and wisdom for all that ventured in, not only at the IPA but thereafter.  Barry once wrote me…  “I would just say to you to remain positive and continue to focus on what's good in your life and to not dwell on the past. Continue to look forward and move forward and as hard as it is, try to put the past behind you.” 

Ron Kline

I remember stopping to see Barry at the State Journal-Register during a visit to Springfield in my early days on the IPA board.
He welcomed me like an old friend, gave me a tour of the office, and was genuinely interested in my life and career. We chatted about photography and the newspaper business. That others-focused approach to life – even on the midst of his many responsibilities – made an impression on me then, and it continued to characterize him for the next quarter of a century that I had the privilege to call him a friend. We shared a love of nature and a passion for journalism that made it a joy every time we got together. Rest In Peace, my friend.

Dave Bell

I've also worked with Barry for many years. He did such great job for the IPF, naturally, because of his keen understanding of journalism and its role in our communities as well as his commitment to education. During his years at the SJ-R he never failed to respond to requests for help with jobs fairs for college journalists, workshops for college journalists, participants in Mid-America Press Institute programs. And, of course, he was a delightful comrade to spend time with. I'm sure his family knows there's a host of former colleagues who will miss Barry, too.

Dave Reed

Barry and I were editors of sister Copley papers. That made us collaborators and, at times, competitors, and, eventually, the best of friends. Barry was uproariously funny and extremely generous. And I saw time and again his acting out his belief that knowledge is worthless unless shared. He was a man of high principles. He loved his family and his community and his chosen profession. We've been blessed to know him.

Jack Brimeyer

In all of the years I spent working in the newspaper industry, I have never met anyone as knowledgeable or as passionate about newspapers as Barry. It was truly inspiring. I would find myself standing outside of his door in the hope that he would be available for one of his infamous chats. We would talk about everything from the future of newspapers to his days at Copley and the people he had met along the way. The newspaper industry was incredibly lucky to have been the passion of such a man. I am incredibly lucky and grateful to have known such a man.

Rewa Boldrey

I worked alongside him for several years at the Illinois Press Association. Together, we achieved goals I would not have achieved on my own. He made me feel good about myself. He made me feel valued. He made me feel capable. He made me feel like the high road was the only road worth traveling on. He never spoke of his own integrity. Didn’t have to. His integrity was self-evident. He inspired others to aspire to that. It’s not just me. His friends have this shared experience. It was “you,” whoever “you” was at the time. If you knew him, you know what I’m talking about. And if you didn’t, well, I wish you had.

David Porter

I am greatly saddened by Barry’s death.  I’ve known Barry since we worked together at Camp Illinek Boy Scout Camp when we were kids. We stayed friends though the years and he was always my go-to, when I had sticky editorial issues to figure out. He was always willing to lend a hand.

John Galer